Building a Virus Trap

Engineering a virus trap
From the Technical University of Munich: “DNA molecules can be folded into two- and three-dimensional structures. Binding sites can be designed with a high degree of precision at the nanoscale to create various complex shapes; the technique is known as DNA origami, and researchers have been refining and tinkering with it for about 15 years. . . . In this work, the researchers began with an icosahedral shape, which has 20 sides. The researchers began to engineer hollow bodies as a virus trap using three-dimensional, triangular plates. The edges of these DNA plates have to be beveled slightly, and binding points ensure they self-assemble properly. The team was able to create spherical structures and half shells that are lined with virus-binding molecules, and can trap viruses.” MORE
Image Credit: Lab Roots and Technical University of Munich